End of the Week Updates in Early July 2023.

 

CNN is about to release its documentary called "See It Loud: The History of Black Televison" that details the history of Black Television. As black people, we are the story. We make the world go round with our beauty, our swagger, our intellects, and our souls. Therefore, shows from A Different World to Sanford and Son relate to our experiences as black people. Also, black television has a global influence, and human beings of every color love black television, and they love our black humanity. From Oscar Micheaux and Moms Mabley to the new school generation of legends like the late Chadwick Boseman and Issa Rae including Sonequa Martin-Green, we have this continuity of creativity that is awe inspiring. Every demographic of the human race came from us, as we are the origin of all in the human family. So, we know we have to deal with wild things in the world, but we have that hope and inspiration to see another day. Seeing another day is what our ancestors desire for us. We have been blessed to witness our time, and the future grows.

Recently, U.S. Secretary Janet Yellen visited China on a four-day visit. Her goal is clear. She wants to ease the tensions among America and China. America fears China's growing influence in the world economy. China fears its economic stagnation and the growing tensions in America, in India, and in other parts of the world. Both sides are using a tactical policy in trying to reduce tensions and compete on their own terms. America wants China to submit to its rules of international "order," and China wants America to make Taiwan be part of China in a long-term fashion. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Beijing last month in June. These meetings come after Chinese balloons traveling in America, U.S. military wargames in Asia, and the growth of Chinese economic trade in the four corners of the Earth from the Caribbean to Africa. The American government justifies its policy of  criticizing China's treatment of American companies under the guise of national security. The Biden administration wants Chinese companies to have restriction to cloud computing services. We shall see what the future holds. America wants things beyond negotiation but to dictate actions. Both America and China have issues of civil liberties, so when each nation accuses each other of hypocrisies in terms of democratic rights, ironically, they are right. America has an epidemic of gun violence and unjust laws harming voting rights, educational rights, etc. China has policies harming Internet freedom, religious freedom, and political freedom. So, we make a distinction between imperialists and the sincere people of America and China seeking real solutions to complex problems.

The Trump aide Walt Nauta pled not guilty to charges of mishandling classified documents. These counts are very serious and are felonies. If he is found guilty, Walt Nauta faces serious prison time. It appears that he won't cooperate with authorities to criticize Trump. He found his lawyer which is why he had his arraignment on Thursday. Nauta is being accused of helping Trump to hide documents from the federal government. The government gave Trump all of the time in the world to return classified documents back to the government. Yet, Trump refused to do so until federal authorities used a legal subpoena to retrieve the documents. We also have the DOJ arresting a criminal trying to use weapons against the home of the Obama family. This is violent extremism and that criminal (who was next to the Obama family home) said that Trump posting Barack Obama's address inspired him to do what he did. This is not new as far right extremists have sent threats to many progressive leaders for a long time.

Recently, Jill Scott gave her rendition of the National Anthem that was similar to Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit song. Jill Scott wanted to expose racism and injustices that black people have suffered in America in bold terms. Her song was bold and highly respected by the audience in the Essence Festival at New Orleans. A lot of people don't know that the original national anthem promoted slavery and whose author, Francis Scott Key, was a slave owning racist. Therefore, Jill Scott has every right to outline the outrage and pain of black people in America. She spoke what a lot of black people think in private and in public. For over 20 years, Jill Scott has been a leader of the neo-soul movement outlining her views unapologetically. Today in 2023, we are motivated to carry on the work that our ancestors have laid a foundation on.

Yesterday was the Birthday of the late Sister Phyllis Linda Hyman. She was one of the most underrated singers of all time. Her gift was that she sang greatly and had the heart of compassion for fellow people. She lived for 45 years, but her heart was giving. She didn't realize the amount of love that people had for her, but we share our love we have for her life and her legacy as a human being. She was born up North in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a singer, songwriter, and actress. Her songs like You Know How to Love Me in 1979, Living All Alone in 1986, and Don't Wanna Change the World in 1991 outline the versatility of her musical talent. Hyman performed on Broadway from 1981 to 1983 in the play of Sophisticated Ladies (based on the music of the icon Duke Ellington). She earned a Theatre World Award and a Tony Award nomination for her role in the play. Her father was a World War II veteran. Her cousin was the actor Earle Hyman (who was on The Cosby Show as Cliff's father). Phyllis Hyman was a once in a lifetime talent who had a sweet soul (in also advocating for the growth of black representation in society and growing black institutions too).

Rest in Power Sister Phyllis Hyman.

By Timothy